Russian Military in Syria

In September 2015 Russian military forces intervened in Syria initially as part of a limited campaign against so-called Islamic State terrorists. This campaign turned into more substantive military support to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in his deadly fight with opposition groups, killing thousands of civilians in rebel-held areas. Operations came to an end with Assad’s fall in December 2024.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from Russian strikes in Syria and produced research and reports on the conflict.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

4,431 – 6,522

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Russian Military actions in Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Russian Military. These originate from 4,977 separate alleged incidents.

1,174 – 1,440
children likely killed
647 – 782
women likely killed
6,672
likely injured
3,500
named victims

Russian Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Russian Military actions in Syria, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
15,841 – 25,260
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,977 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,431 – 6,522
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,380 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
739 – 861
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
466 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,557 – 17,748
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,115 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
114 – 129
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
16 seperate alleged incidents
4942 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

25 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3101

Location

الشيفونية, Al Shifonya, Damascus, Syria
A child was killed and 20 civilians were injured due to a chloride gas attack on Al Shifonya, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. The injured all suffocated due to the internationally banned chloride gas. Members of the Syrian Civil Defence were also reportedly injured in the…

Summary

Published
25 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
1–2
Civilians reported injured
20
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3098

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
Between one and seven civilians were killed and dozens more were wounded, in air and artillery strikes on Hamouriya, local media reported. Media blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. There were as many as four artillery shells which struck the residential town, killing at least one woman and one child. There…

Summary

Published
25 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–7
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3102

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria
Three civilians were killed, including a woman, and others were injured in air and artillery strikes on Hazza, local media reported. Sources blamed the Syrian and Russian alliance for the raids. Syrian Coalition reported that members of the "Syrian defence forces [were] working to rescue civilians in the city [due to] missiles, as part of…

Summary

Published
25 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3104

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Between 11 and 19 civilians were killed, and dozens were wounded in airstrikes on Douma, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. According to Baraa, 11 people from one family were killed when a guided missile struck their home. There was reportedly continuous shelling on the vicinity throughout…

Summary

Published
25 February 2018
Civilians reported killed
11–19
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

25 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3096

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Two children and their mother were killed in air and artillery strikes on Douma, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russian warplanes and the Syrian regime for the raids. The vicinity was struck with land to land missiles and heavy artillery shelling. Images show the extent of destruction to property. There are no more details…

Summary

Published
25 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

24 February 2018

Incident Code

RS3086

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria
At least two but as many as 35 civilians were killed and several wounded as Harasta, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, was subject to aerial - and possibly also artillery - shelling, local media reported, though apportion of blame was unclear. As the shelling of eastern Ghouta continued on its seventh day, Harasta was again on February…

Summary

Published
24 February 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilians reported killed
2–25
Civilians reported injured
2–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident